Photography Quotes

Most people love photographs, and these photography quotes demonstrate many of the reasons why. Whether you are a professional photography, a dabbler in art photography, or just an amateur shutter bug, these photography quotes can provide a little insight on the value of pictures.

"The best camera is the one that's with you." – Chase Jarvis. It's easy to get caught up in a competition to see who has the best equipment. There's always a better lens, more megapixels or a higher grade of camera. This photography quote is a good reminder that it's capturing the images that really matters.

"All photos are accurate. None of them is the truth." – Richard Avedon. It sounds like a zen koan, but, this photography quote is a reminder that what is photographed does not necessarily tell a true story. Philosophically, this is a good thing to remember when capturing or looking at controversial images.

"Once the picture is in the box, I'm not all that interested in what happens next. Hunters, after all, aren't cooks." – Henri Cartier-Bresson. Are you a lot more interested in the act of taking photos than you are in developing them (if you're one of those old school film folks) or editing them on the computer? Rest assured that you're in good company. The father of the Decisive Moment movement didn't like messing with the actual prints, either.

"Photography was a license to go whenever I wanted and to do what I wanted to do." – Diane Arbus. This photography quote is a good tip for people who suffer from shyness. Having a camera in your hand, particularly when you are photographing something in some sort of official capacity, gives people permission to go places they otherwise wouldn't, and to loiter in areas where it would otherwise look strange. The camera not only makes it look like you belong, it also makes you feel more like you have a reason to be where you are.

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." – Ansel Adams. It's somewhat ironic that this photography quote came from a man who very rarely had any people show up in his images. Adams, instead, put his own imagination into his pictures, and also expected the viewer to bring their mindset and past experiences to what they see.